Using Grasses in Containers

Containers filled with ornamental grasses can easily take center stage in outdoor living areas. Count on grasses to offer textural beauty courtesy of colorful leaves. The left pot includes fiber optic grass (Isolepis cernua ‘Live Wire’) and ‘Blue Arrows’ rush (Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Arrows’). The right pot stars ‘Red Rooster’ carex (Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’), weeping brown sedge (Carex flagellifera ‘Bronzita’) and New Zealand wind grass (Anementhele lessoniana), sometimes known as buffalo’s gold.

Include grasses in hanging baskets for an unusual combination. Golden variegated hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) creates a leafy waterfall in this moss-lined basket. Other foliage accompaniments include a red coral bells (Heuchera), Heucherella ‘Fire Frost’ and ‘Jack Frost’ Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’).

Combine grasses with flowers for a sensory delight. ‘Red Riding Hood’ rose fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Red Riding Hood’) provides a backdrop for pineapple coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) and Sundaze Flame (Bracteantha bracteata ‘Flobrafla’). The spillers in this pot are ‘Yellow Ripple’ English ivy (Hedera helix ‘Yellow Ripple’) and dense-flowered loosestrife (Lysimachia congestiflora ‘Walkabout Sunset’).

Turn up the light in your part to full shade containers with the white leaves of ‘Snow Cap’ creeping broad-leaved sedge (Carex siderosticha ‘Snow Cap’). Leaves have broad white central stripes edged with bright green. Combine it with hosta or ferns for a container that oozes leafy charm.